The benefit of fear

Fear. The word alone makes palms sweat and guts wrench. But, fear can be good for people and organizations, if it's dealt with openly and honestly. It can keep you focused on a goal and away from danger. Fear can motivate you if it doesn't paralyze you.

Effectively dealing with fear can't be done without managing your emotions because it's difficult to think clearly when your mind is overwhelmed.

Draw on your patience. Look at your plan. Engage your people.

Fear brings focus. Use it to your benefit.

Process = Success

If you implement anything more than a few steps long you have a process. Done well a process is your friend. It helps marketers or executives to insure you cover important bases and don't miss things. A good process is not static and improves over time. An example from my daily work is our review process for newsletters - both electronic and printed. The process has saved us many times from making errors both BIG and small. We use similar processes for campaign themes and various other projects, as well. It works like this.

1. We prepare and send a "First Look" which is mock up of the piece. It might have full stories and graphics in some places and ideas for stories in other places. It prompts the discussion.
2. We prepare the newsletter based on feedback and send what is a 98% complete document to make sure the content we've developed follows the feedback/discussion provided in the First Look session. We state this is not polished, but should be close and we talk about any holes that still need filling (the 2%). We ask for a keen eye review.
3. Following comments/suggestions/corrections, internally we do what we call the FTC (fine tooth comb). This is a detailed review where you re-read every word and you need to be in full editor mode. After writing and laying something out - often you can't see the forest for the trees, so you need extra keen eyes at this point.
4. After FTC, we send the final out for approval. If someone finds something, we fix it. Most often, it is approved and we order.

This process works because it has been developed over time and everyone knows what to expect. We use it consistently and participants know what is needed at each step. It makes it easier for all involved AND we get the best results because of it.

What processes do you use to make your tasks easier to accomplish? An advice to make our process better? I love to learn.

Purpose and passion are 'self serve'

These days you can outsource many responsibilities in your business. Often, you and your customers are better served by doing so because you can hire great expertise at less cost than it would take to employ them in-house. You'll likely gain some efficiencies too. But, there are at least two areas you can't hire out:

1. Your company or organization's purpose

AND

2. The passion it takes to sustain the organization or company

One can't be sure of the reason some companies try to outsource these core elements. My guess is they are tired or they are lazy.

I've seen this done under the veil of 'planning' where an organization wanted the facilitator to lead them to their passion or purpose. In reality, they were not willing to do the soul-searching work it took to get to the answers they needed. Granted, sometimes you may need the assistance of someone to help you with unpacking the 'how' of your purpose, but never the 'what'.

I urge you to do the work. If you don't know how, try this. Shut off all electronic devices and go to a place you cannot be disturbed for a few hours. Without distraction, it may not even take this long. Be sure to take a pen and a legal pad with you.

1. Then, ask yourself this question: Why do people come to your business or organization?
2. If you are failing and need to make a change, the question might be: Why do you want them to come to your organization or business?
3. Then, ask yourself this: What really makes me excited about our business?

Discovering these answers will invigorate and excite you. If it doesn't, you have not found your purpose or passion.

You get more bees with questions!

Sales. Team building. Marketing. Or, just getting along with others. This skill will assist you in many areas. Today there are numerous ways to interact with people. Facebook. Phone calls. Email. Skype. And yes, even face-to-face. This method will work with all of them.

It has nearly miraculous warming effects on people. The better you get at this the more positively people will think of you or your company. They’ll remember you. You likely will make more sales and build more brand equity. You'll probably be happier too.

What is this wonder skill? Questions.

Ask questions in a kind and polite manner and doors will swing wide open for you.

It takes sincerity. Failure may be painful because false sincerity is worse than rudeness. Consistency is needed to prove your sincerity at times.

If you show an interest in the people, remember names and use them to address those in which you speak, you’ll stand out and be remembered. Remember the sincerity rule here because you don’t want to be ‘that guy’ that over does this.

People care about their own interests and wants. That is not a fault; it’s just a fact. They might need what you have, but given the choice they’d rather get it from someone who is interested in them.

Done right. You’ll get more bees with questions. I promise.

Do you feel safe to make the wrong decision?

Trust is the cornerstone of a good company, and a good family for that matter. Many fathers celebrated yesterday and I’d be willing to say that many cards had words similar to “thanks for helping, protecting and loving us.” I’m glad so many fathers are deserving of such praise.

Though companies are NOT families, they need many of the same things from their leader (whether female or male): assistance, safety and love, which are the foundation for trust.

If you are a manager at any level, you are entrusted with the care of those you manage. They need to trust you. You need to trust them. This is never a one-way street and it always starts with the leader. Always.

This can be somewhat scary if you are a new leader or just starting to build your culture. You’ll feel exposed. If you do, then you’re doing this right.

When your staff feels safe to make a tough decision because they know there's a trust safety net should things go wrong, productivity will soar – theirs and yours.

Need more upside? Decisions will get better because trust leads to more open feedback on the front end, which leads to better results. Obviously, part of trust is holding people accountable to their expectations. Expectations provide the guidance everyone needs to be successful.

The best news of all is trust works for everyone from marketers to technicians regardless of industry.

I've heard many great stories about how trust has been demonstrated. What are some of yours?

Curious George can teach you to be a better marketer

Do you hunger to want to know 'why' about stuff? Not just your 'stuff' or your company 'stuff' but everything? The more curious you are the more likely you are to understand consumers, products and how they connect - or don't.

Be curious about things. It will extend to your thinking about marketing your stuff or leading your team.